Rolling mill and method of rolling



. May 15, 1928.

F. c. BIGGERT, JR

ROLLING MILL AND METHOD OF R OLLING Filed April 1, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v 4 v 1 a w, R I 9 T N 0 "saw 2 9 m 6 a l m e m s s G N 1 L L m R s .J F 9 O m T D R m P a M 1 u l M i m w m. B A M x c L e VIA W. x a F e \17 aw N H mm M I L LYNN, u g @N R I Twmw g May 15, 1928.

F. C. BIGGERT, JR

ROLLING HILL AND METHOD OF ROLLING May 15, 1928.

Filed April 1, 1926 S Sheets-Sheet 3 w m wm tained by taking advantage of the inherent PatentedfMa 15, 1928.

, 1,669,550, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

FLORENCE O. BIGGERT, JB., 0] GRAFTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED ENGINEERING & FOUNDRY COMPANY, OF 'PITTSBURGII, PENNSYLVANIA, A. CORPO- RATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ROLLING MILL AND METHOD OF ROLLING.

Application filed April 1, 1928. Serial No. 99,037.

The present invention relates broadly to. the art of metal working and moreparticularly to the art of metal reduction by roll-"- ing and to an improved method and apparatus for carrying out the same. V At the present tune considerable dlfliculty is encountered in the art of rolling sheets,

plates and the like due to the tendency of the material being rolled to travel laterally between the rolls. With comparatively narrow articles having a width for example, not in excess of ten or twelve inches, the problem is not as diilicult as it is with sheets or plates having a greater width.

The tendency of metal to travel laterally while in a roll pass has been recognized, and elIorts have been made to overcome the'difiiculty by adjusting the screw downs while the mill is operating in such maimcr as to relieve the pressure on the ends of the rolls away from which the metal is travelling to thereby endeavor to cause the metal to move in the opposite direction. It will be understood, however, that such adjustments must be made,'not only while the mill is operatculty becomes apparent, but also they must be made 'quickly so as .to effect aprompt correction of the tendency referred to. With the mills in operation the pressure on the adjusting screws is such that movement thereof is extremely difiicult. In some of the larger mills movement while the rolls are operating is almost impossible; In any event, such movement can be efiected only with great difliculty and only by an operation comparable to a sledging-operation in which the movement is extremely slow.

With some of the larger mills being constructed for present day operations, the old method of attempting to adjust the screw downs has proven entirely inadequate.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved mill andoperating meansby which the djfiieulty referred to may be easily counteracted and further to provide an improved method of mill operation whereby even with the largest mills it is possible to straighten out the direction of travel of thematerial being rolled as desired.

Preferably, the results desired are obmg, as it is only at this time that the difli characteristics of 'a roll housing with respect to elongation and compression, and either prevent the tendency of the material to move laterally by increasing the compression to which one side of the roll housing is subjected, or by increasing the tension to which the opposite is subjected or both, the result being a dilt'erential or unbalanced'condition in the roll housing by means of whichv thev rolls are brought together or separated in the amount required to efi'ect the required compensating action.

1n the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration only, and

in more or less diagrammatic manner, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, it being understood that the drawings do notdefine the limits of my invention as changes in the construction and operation disclosed therein may be made without de parting either from the spirit of the present invention or the scope of my broader claims. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the forces exerted on rolls during the rolling operation and indicating the manner of compensating the tendency of-the material being rolled to move laterally.

Figure 2 is an end elevation, largely diagrammatieal, of one form of mill housing constructed in accordance with the present invention; 1

Figure -3 is a transverse sectional view on the line IIIIII of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure' t is a view similar to trating another embodiment of invention;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the construction illustrated in Fig. 4,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 and 4 illustrating still another form of the in-- vention, and

Figure 7 is a diagrammatical view illustrating one embodiment of'the invention by means of which automatic compensation Fig. 2 illusthe present the rolls without regard to the position of this usual adjusting means provided for the ro ls.

In Figure 1 of'the drawings there is indicated diagrammatically the upper roll A and the lower roll B of a two-high mill having in the pass between them a sheet or plate S. During proper operation of the mill the rolling operation exerts a spreading force between the rolls as indicatedi by the arrows F. It not infrequently happens, however, that the material S being rolled will tend to move laterally as indicated for example, by the arrow L. It will be apparent that under such conditions, this tendency can be corrected or compensated by moving the ends 2 of the rolls closer together as indicated by the arrows 3, or by separating the ends 4 of the rolls in the direction indicated by the arrows F or by both of these operations simultaneously. Compensation is eifected in this manner due to the tendency of the material being rolled to move toward that portion of the roll pass in which the most space is provided.

Due to the practical impossibility of effecting the desired compensation by means of the usual roll adjustments, I preferably provide a housing having incorporated therein, or cooperating therewith, means capable of changing the dimensions of the'housing for either end of the rolls at will. In Figures 2 and 3, there is shown somewhat diagrammatically, a two-high mill embodying the rolls A and B as before referred to, these rolls being mounted in a housin 5. This housing is indicated as comprising transversely extending upper and lower members 6 spaced a predetermined distance by hollow. pillars 7 at one end and similar pillars 8 at the opposite end. Preferably, a pair of such pillars is provided in the housing for each end of the rolls, one of the pillars being located on each side of the rolls, and all of the pillars are provided with fluid pressure connections 9. As indicated more particularly in Figure 3 of the'drawings, all of the fluid pressure connections 9 maybe in operative communication with a source of fluid under pressure, such, for example,as a. compressor or pump 10, suitable pipe lines 11 being provided for the pillars 7 while similar pipe lines 12 are provided for the pillars 8.

During the operation of the mill it may be assumed, for example, that the rolls are subjected to a spreading force of 100,000 pounds.

and that the material being rolled is moving toward the right as viewed in Figure 3 of the drawings. It will be ap arent that the spreading force to which t e rolls are subjected tends to elongate the pillars 7 and 8,

this elongation being resisted by. the stems 13" formed on the pillars and extending through the cross members 6 into a position in which they are free to receive securin nuts 14. During this period, if the sprea ing force on the pillars 7 is increased in any desired manner, it will be'obvious that the left hand ends of the rolls will tend to separate and thereby compensate for the tendency of the material to move laterally. This increased elongation of the pillars 7 may be obtained by the control of the fluid pressure supplied thereto from the source 10. If desired, the mill may be placed in operation with a predetermined static fluid pressure in the pillars 7 and 8 of any desired amount, say, for example,'4,000 pounds to the square inch. Thereafter, during the tendency of the material to travel as referred to, compensation may be effected either by increasing the pressure in the pillars 7 beyond that in the pillars 8 or by decreasing the pressure in the pillars 8below that in the'pillars 7. This may be accomplished in any desired manner as, for example, by providing the lines 11 with suitable valves 15 and the lines 12 with similar valves the pillars 8. This differential or unbalanced pressure condition may be set up at will independently'of the rolling forces and will quickly produce such a compensating condi-' tion as to enable the direction of travel of the material to beinstantly corrected.

In the event the tendency of the material is to travel toward the left as viewed in Figure 3 of the drawings, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the operating conditions will be merely the reverse of those heretofore set forth.

, In Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings there is indicated a roll housing which is difierent in many respects from roll housings as at present extensibly used in the art. In many cases it may be desirable to adapt the invention to commercial housings, or housings of the general nature now in use.

In Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings there is shown an-embodiment of the invention having such adaptation for one of its objects. The housing 18'is shown as being of substantially conventional form with the usual brasses 19 for the lower roll and riders 20 for the upper roll. The screwdowns 21 of conventional e may be provided. Ex tending throng each of the housings 18 is a pair of tension bolts22, one of these bolts preferably being located on each side of the naeepao 24, nuts 25 being provided on the bolts below the cross-heads. In the space provided between each of the housings and its coopcrating cross-head is acylinder 26 and iston 27, each cylinder being provided wit a suitable fluid supply connection 28."

With the construction illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, any increase in pressure'in the cylinders 26 will tend to elongate the bolts 22 and compress the housings 18. By'properly dimensionin the bolts, the desired compression of the housings for any given dimensional change therein maybe obtained. In operation, if the material tends to move to the right as viewed in Figure 5, the fluid pressure in the cylinder 26 cooperating with the right-hand housing 18.will be increased to bring the rolls closer together adjacent the right-hand ends and thereby cause the material to move in the opposite direction or, the pressure in the cylinder 26 cooperating with the left-hand housing 18 will have its pressure reduced, orboth. The construction shown in Figures 4 and 5, in addition to showing the adaptability 0f the invention to standard housings, further differs from the showing of Figures 2 and 3 by disclosing means operating to vary the compression load on the. mill housings while the structure of Figures 2 and 3 discloses means operating to vary the tension to which the housings are subjected.

In Figure 6,-there is illustrated still another embodiment of the invention, this form also being adaptable to a commercial housing 29. In carrying out the invention in accordance with this figure, each of the housings 29. is shaped to receive on opposite sides of the window 30, a post 31. The upper end of each of these posts may be drilled out to provide a cylinder 32 into which projects a piston or plunger 33 hearing at its upper end against the under side of the housing above the window. A suitable fluid pressure connection 34 may beprovided to each of the cylinders 32, the cylinders in the housing for each end of the rolls being connected 3 in pairs. The operation may be the same as.

cylinders and a similar pump 36 that before described more particularly in connection with the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, by providing suitable control-valves in the connections 34, or a.

pump 35 may be provided for one pair'of or the other air of cylinders. As the pressure in the cylinders in one of the housings is increased, the housing will elongate and permit the ends of the rolls in such housing to move apart. By controlling the amount of elongation, the direction of'movement of the material may be varied at will and the desired compensation quickly 3 and accurately effected.

With all of shown herein, it will be appare 't that a normal pressure may be maintained in the.cyl-

indersat all times, or that the-desired pressures may be built up therein? as required the forms of the invention.

In any event, it is possible tol quickly and housing has a negative elongation or actual shortening. Certain advanta es of the invention arise from means ena ling such dimensional changes.

In many cases it is desirable to effect the compensation automatically, thereby enabling the mill to be operated without attention in this regard and insuring a correction quickly enough to prevent undue lateral movement of the material being rolled. In Figure 7 there is illustrated diagrammatically, means by which this automatic operation is possible. Adjustably carried by the linkage 17 corresponding for example, to the linkage 17 of Figure 3, areopposed' guides 37. These guides may be adjusted a distance apart depending upon the width of the material being rolled. When so adjusted, a movement laterally of the material S in either direction, will engage one or the other guides 37 and thereby effect a. desired movement of the linkage 17'. In the emtive for producing a dimensional change in either or both of the roll housings such that the left-hand ends of the rolls are brought together, the right-hand ends separated, or both; In this manner the control of the apparatus may be quickly effected before a substantial change in the path of travel of the material has takenplace.

It will be apparent that the present invention contemplates an elastic deformation of oneor both of the housings as the specific method of producing a dimensional change therein, and that fluid pressure is preferably 7 utilized for efi'ec'ting such deformation. It

is within the spirit of the present invention, however, to effect the deformation or dimensional change in any desired manner mechanically, by. fluid pressure or otherwise.

Other objects of the invention arise from the control of the direction of travel of the material by dimensional-changes in the roll housings and consequent control of the relative space between opposite ends of the rolls therein.

Further advantages of the invention arise from the provision of a control adaptable to .mills of any desired size and enabling compensation for the lateral travel of material to be effected without operation of the usual roll adjusting means.

Still further objects of the invention arise from the provision of a mill having incorporated therein fluid pressure means enabling dimensional changes of the respective housings to be effected at will and in the amount required to offset the tendency of the material being rolled to move laterally between the rolls.

I claim:

1. In a mill, a mill housing, and means for varying at will at least one dimension of said housin While the mill is in operation.

2. In a mill, a mill housing, and fluid pressure means controllable at will to vary at least one dimension of the mill housing.

3. In a mill, a mill housing and means operable at will and while the mill is in operation to effect a dimensional change of said housing as required to vary the distance between the rolls therein. I

4. In a mill, a mill housing and fluid pressure means operable at will to vary the dimension of'the housing in the direction required to change the distance between the rolls therein.

5. In a mill, rolls, ahousingfor each endofthe rolls, and means for effecting a dimensional change of either of said housings in the direction required to increase or decrease atwill the distance between the rolls therein.

6. In a mill, rolls, a housing for each endof the rolls, and fluid pressure means for effecting a dimensional change of either'of said housings in the direction re uired to vary the distance between the rolls t erein.

7. In the method of rolling, the step consisting of effecting a dimensional change of a roll housing to counteract the tendency of the material being rolled to, move laterally.

8. In the method of rolling, the steps consisting of adjusting the rolls to the desired rolling position, and thereafter var ing the angular relation of said rolls -whi e maintaining said setting constant.

9. In the method of rolling, the steps consisting of adjusting the rolls to the desired rolling position, and thereafter efiecting a dimensional change of at least one of the roll housings to change the angular relation of the rolls while maintaining said setting constant.

10. In the method of rolling, the step consisting ofefiecting a dimensional change in said housing, and means controlled by the material being operated upon for effecting operation of said first mentioned means.

13. In a mill, a mill housing, and means 1 controllable by the material being operated upon to effect a dimensional change of said housing as required to vary the distance between the rolls therein.

"14. In a mill, rolls,- a housing for each end of said rolls, and means controlled by the material being rolled for etfecting a dimensional change of either of said housings in the direction required to vary the distance between the 'rolls therein.

15. In the method of rolling, the step consisting of effecting a dimensional change of the roll housing to counteract the tendency of the material being rolled to move laterally and utilizing the movement of the material for effecting such change.

16. In a mill, a mill housing and the means for producing an elastic deformation of said housing at will and while the mill is in operation.

17. In a mill, a mill housing, and means controllable by the material being rolled for producing an elastic deformation of said housing.

18. In a mill, rolls, a housing for said rolls, an adjustment for said rolls, and means other than said adjustment and automaticallyoperated by the material being rolled i for increasing or decreasing at will the distance between said rolls.

19. In a mill, rolls, a housing for said rolls, an adjustmentfor said rolls, means other than said adjustment forvarying the distance apart of said rolls individually at either end by an elastic deformationv of said housing, and control means for said first mentioned means operable while the mill is in operation for-varying the elastic deformation' accomplished by saidfirst mentioned means. 7

. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FLORENCE C. BIGGERT, JR. 

